Cigarette Rolling Paper System and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A smokable rolling paper system is described. The system comprises a filler material rolled in a smokable sheet. The smokable sheet includes a therapeutically effective dose of nicotine. The nicotine can be applied to the sheet as a coating. In some embodiments, the coating is an ink that is printed onto the sheet. In other embodiments, the nicotine is incorporated into the sheet when the sheet is manufactured. The smokable sheet allows for delivering of nicotine to a user by way of combustion and inhalation, irrespective of the contents of the filler material. The smokable sheet can be used to roll custom cigarettes that contain nicotine without consuming any harmful chemicals or additives found in commercially available cigarette products.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.18/055,811 filed on Nov. 15, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application No. 63/279,558 filed Nov. 15, 2021. These andall other referenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in areference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contraryto the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of thatterm provided herein is deemed to be controlling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to smoking systems andmethods, and more specifically, to a smokable papers that have nicotine.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Smoking systems are well known in the art and are effective means toenable the combustion of substances for the inhalation of the vaporsthat result from the combustion. Cigarettes, for example, are made fromground tobacco leaves wrapped in a paper with a filter at the mouth sideof the rolled paper. The cigarette is lit at the end opposite the sidewhere the filter is located. As it combusts, air is pulled through thetobacco and filter and into the user's mouth.

One of the problems commonly associated with smoking systems is theirlimited use. For example, the inhalation of smoke—while desirable forsome people—brings unwanted chemicals that could be harmful to theperson who inhales them. U.S. Pat. No. 11,346,051 to Luxenbourg teachesinfusing smoking paper products (e.g., rolling papers) withcannabinoids, terpenes, and THC. Specifically, Luxenbourg discussespaper products . . . “enriched with a terpene profile, mimicking flavorand/or aroma of a cannabis plant.” (Luxenbourg, abstract). Luxenbourgdoes not contemplate nicotine as an infusible compound for a smokingpaper product, and instead focuses on the . . . ” high concentration ofcannabinoids within smoking papers . . . afford[ing] consumption ofthose products with a viable effective dose of the cannabinoids.Luxenbourg, col. 5, ln. 53-55. US Pub. No. 2022/0132912 to Vilasimilarly teaches using cannabinoids and edible oil in gum for rollingpapers, and fails to contemplate using nicotine as an alternative to acannabinoid. Indeed, cannabinoid-based oils are highly viscous at roomtemperature, and there are significant challenges in mixingcannabinoid-based oils into an ink or gum at room temperature. However,nicotine is liquid with a comparatively low viscosity at roomtemperature, and more easily infused into a solvent.

Indeed, efforts to replace tobacco as the combustible material haveresulted in cleaner smoke but has reduced the desirability of thecigarette. Accordingly, although great strides have been made in thearea of smoking systems, many shortcomings remain.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication or patent application werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides devices, systems, and methods forincluding nicotine in or on a smokable rolling paper. In someembodiments, the smokable rolling paper is a smokable sheet that has anicotine-infused coating. The smokable sheet can be made of a fibrousmaterial that is food-grade and safe for smoking consumption. Thecoating can comprise an ink, a plant-based ink, a gum, a propyleneglycol, or any other composition that is safe for smoking consumptionand that can contain nicotine. The amount of nicotine present in thecoating is preferably a therapeutically effective dose. The coating canbe applied to the entire surface of the smokable sheet or to portions ofthe sheet. For example, in one embodiment, the coating is applied as astrip or line extending along the length of the sheet. In otherembodiments, the coating is an ink pattern such as a logo or brand. Thecoating is preferably present at each point along the length so thatnicotine is inhaled in each breath, although the coating need not be acontinuous mark. For example, the coating could comprise a plurality ofdots spaced apart throughout the entire surface of the smokable sheet.When the coating comprises a gum, the gum can be a stripe extendingalong a length of the smokable sheet and near an edge of the sheet sothat the gum can be moistened to seal the rolled sheet into a cigaretteor cigar that contains a smokable filler such as tobacco or marijuanaleaves.

The inventive subject matter also includes a method of manufacturing asmokable rolling paper comprising: (i) providing a smokable sheet; (ii)preparing a nicotine-infused coating; and (iii) applying anicotine-infused coating to the sheet. The step of applying thenicotine-infused coating to the sheet can comprise spraying or brushingthe coating onto the sheet. When the coating comprises an ink, the stepof applying the nicotine-infused coating to the sheet can compriseprinting the coating onto the sheet. It is also contemplated that thestep of applying the nicotine-infused coating to the sheet can comprisedipping the sheet into the coating.

In other aspects, the step of preparing the nicotine-infused coating cancomprise mixing a dose of nicotine with an ink, a gum, or propyleneglycol. It is also contemplated that a flavoring agent can be mixed withthe nicotine.

The inventive subject matter also includes a smokable rolling paper thathas been manufactured using nicotine as an ingredient during theformation of the paper. From a methods perspective, the smokable papercan be manufactured by: (i) preparing a nicotine-infused pulp slurry bymixing smokable fibers with water and nicotine; (ii) draining the waterfrom the slurry; and (iii) drying the slurry on heated rollers. It iscontemplated that one or more fillers, such as clay or calciumcarbonate, can be included in the preparation of the nicotine-infusedpulp slurry. It is also contemplated that the smokable fibers can beprepared by mixing a fibrous material with an acid solution to separatethe fibers of the material from one another, then washing the separatedfibers from the acid solution, and finally, drying the washed fibers.

As used herein, a “filler” means small cuts of tobacco leaves and othersmokable material.

As used herein, “cigar” means any smokable roll of filler wrapped intobacco leaf, or in any substance containing tobacco.

As used herein, “cigarette” means any smokable roll of filler wrapped ina smokable sheet other than a tobacco wrapper leaf.

As used herein, “infused” means the process of mixing chemical compoundsinto a solvent to allow the compounds to remain suspended in the solventover time.

As used herein, “therapeutically effective dose” means a dose orconcentration of a compound that produces a biological response. It iscontemplated that the dosage amount or concentration for the“therapeutically effective dose” may vary according to a user'scharacteristics, such as Body Mass Index (BMI).

As used herein, “food-grade” means a product of a quality suitable forhuman consumption, food production, or food storage.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of a smokable rollingpaper system having a smokable paper with a nicotine-infused coating.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the smokable sheet in FIG. 1 in anunrolled configuration.

FIG. 2B is another embodiment of a smokable sheet with anicotine-infused coating.

FIG. 2C is another embodiment of smokable sheet with a nicotine-infusedcoating.

FIG. 2D is another embodiment of smokable sheet with a nicotine-infusedcoating.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of rolling a cigarette.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method of manufacturing asmokable rolling paper.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method of manufacturinga smokable rolling paper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional smoking systems. Specifically, the presentinventive subject matter provides a smokable rolling paper with atherapeutically effective does of nicotine applied to or incorporatedwithin a smokable sheet. These and other unique features of the systemand method of use are discussed below and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1depicts a front isometric view of a smokable rolling paper system 100.It will be appreciated that system 100 overcomes one or more of theabove-listed problems commonly associated with conventional smokingsystems by delivering nicotine to a user irrespective of the nicotinecontent of the filler.

System 100 includes a smokable sheet 110 rolled around a filler material120 in the form of a cylinder. It is also contemplated that smokablesheet 110 could be rolled in the shape of a cone. Filler material 120can be any smokable material such as cut leaves of tobacco, cloves,and/or marijuana. System 100 can optionally include a filter tip on anend.

Smokable sheet 110 has a coating 130 that contains a therapeuticallyeffective dose of nicotine. FIG. 2A shows smokable sheet 110 in anunrolled configuration without filler material 120. Coating 130 is shownas a stripe extending along the length of sheet 110. Coating 130 caninclude a pigment to indicate the presence of nicotine. It is alsocontemplated that the color of coating 130 could indicate a dosage levelof nicotine. However, it is also contemplated that coating 130 could betransparent. Sheet 110 also has a gum stripe 140 along an edge that canbe moistened to seal smokable sheet 110 closed in a rolledconfiguration.

In use, sheet 110 is laid out flat and the filler material 120 is placedalong the length of sheet 110. Filler material 120 is then rolled insheet 110 and secured in the rolled configuration by moistening gumstripe 140 and overlapping gum stripe 140 onto sheet 110. A user thenignites an end of the rolled sheet 110 and smokes the system 100 so thatthe nicotine in coating 130 is consumed at the same time as the fillermaterial 120. Coating 130 has been applied to approximately 20% of sheet110. In some embodiments, coating 130 comprises an ink. In a preferredembodiment, the ink is plant-based and is food-grade. In yet otherembodiments, gum stripe 140 could include a therapeutically effectiveamount of nicotine instead of, or in addition to, coating 130. It isalso contemplated that coating 130 could comprise propylene glycol mixedwith nicotine.

FIG. 2B is similar to FIG. 2A, except that coating 132 has been appliedto approximately 50% of sheet 110. FIG. 2C depicts yet anotherembodiment, in which coating 134 comprises a repeating leaf design.Coating 134 could be a company logo, a stylized slogan, or any design.FIG. 2D depicts yet another alternative embodiment, in which coating 136has been applied as a staggered array of dots. Advantageously, theuniform distribution of coating 136 provides for a consistent dosage ofnicotine to the user for every inhalation during consumption of thesmokable rolling paper system 100.

FIG. 3 shows a method 301 of rolling a cigarette. Step 303 comprisesplacing a paper with a mark of nicotine-infused ink face up on asurface, step 305 comprises laying out the material to be burnt withinthe paper so that it is in a row along the mark, step 307 comprisesrolling the paper to form a cylindrical shape, step 309 comprisessecuring the paper closed by an adhesive attached to the paper, and step311 comprises smoking the cigarette.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the steps formanufacturing a smokable rolling paper. Step 410 comprises providing asmokable sheet. Step 420 comprises preparing a nicotine-infused coating.Step 420 can be accomplished by one of mixing a dose of nicotine withpropylene glycol (step 421), mixing a dose of nicotine with a flavoringagent (step 422), or mixing a dose of nicotine with an ink (step 423).Step 430 comprises applying the nicotine-infused coating to the sheet.Step 430 can be accomplished by spraying the coating onto the sheet(step 431), brushing the coating on the sheet (step 432), printing thecoating onto the sheet (step 433), or dipping the sheet into the coating(step 434). In a preferred embodiment, the nicotine-infused coating isdried after applying the coating to the sheet.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a smokable rolling paper using nicotine as an ingredientwhen the paper is made. Step 510 comprises separating the smokablefibers from one another by mixing a fibrous material with an acidsolution. Step 520 washing the separated fibers from the acid solution.Step 530 comprises preparing a nicotine-infused pulp slurry by mixingthe smokable fibers with water and nicotine. Step 540 comprises drainingthe water from the slurry. Step 550 comprises drying the slurry onheated rollers.

The inventive subject matter disclosed herein provides a smokable sheetthat contains a therapeutically effective amount of nicotine forconsumption. A user can inhale the nicotine through combustion of thesheet. The sheet can be used with a filler material that may or may nothave nicotine. For example, when the filler material is marijuana, whichdoes not contain any nicotine, the user can still receive atherapeutically effective amount of nicotine. The smokeable sheets canbe used to roll custom cigarettes with the user's own choice of fillermaterial. The smokeable sheet can also be used to help users break thehabit of smoking commercially available tobacco cigarettes, whichcontain many harmful chemicals and ingredients other than nicotine.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value with a range is incorporated into the specification asif it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein canbe performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A smokable rolling paper comprising: a smokablesheet; and a nicotine-infused coating disposed on the sheet.
 2. Thesmokable rolling paper of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises ink. 3.The smokable rolling paper of claim 1, wherein the ink is a plant-basedink.
 4. The smokable rolling paper of claim 1, wherein the coatingcomprises gum.
 5. The smokable rolling paper of claim 1, wherein thecoating comprises propylene glycol.
 6. The smokable rolling paper ofclaim 1, wherein the nicotine-infused coating comprises atherapeutically effective dose of nicotine.
 7. A method of manufacturinga smokable rolling paper comprising: providing a smokable sheet;preparing a nicotine-infused coating; and applying a nicotine-infusedcoating to the sheet.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofapplying a nicotine-infused coating to the sheet comprises spraying thecoating onto the sheet.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofapplying a nicotine-infused coating to the sheet comprises brushing thecoating onto the sheet.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofapplying a nicotine-infused coating to the sheet comprises printing thecoating onto the sheet.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofapplying a nicotine-infused coating to the sheet comprises dipping thesheet into the coating.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofpreparing the nicotine-infused coating comprises mixing a dose ofnicotine with propylene glycol.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein thestep of preparing the nicotine-infused coating comprises mixing a doseof nicotine with a flavoring agent.
 14. The method of claim 7, whereinthe step of preparing the nicotine-infused coating comprises mixing adose of nicotine with an ink.
 15. A method of manufacturing a smokablepaper comprising: preparing a nicotine-infused pulp slurry by mixingsmokable fibers with water and nicotine; draining the water from theslurry; and drying the slurry on heated rollers.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the step of preparing a nicotine-infused pulp slurry furthercomprises mixing the smokable fibers, water, and nicotine with one ormore fillers.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or morefillers comprises clay and calcium carbonate.
 18. The method of claim15, further comprising the steps of: separating the smokable fibers bymixing a fibrous material with an acid solution before preparing thenicotine-infused pulp slurry; washing the separated fibers from the acidsolution; and drying the washed fibers.